RHP Jake LeFrancois earns NECBL honor roll

By Kate Endres

Right-handed pitcher Jake LeFrancois (UMass Lowell) earned NECBL Honor Roll recognition in the pitching category for Week 3, which concluded Sunday, June 21. Appearing in nine games for the Blue Sox so far, LeFrancois has solidified himself as a dependable arm in the bullpen, logging 13 innings of work.

The Worcester native appeared in three separate outings for the Blue Sox during the past week. Across all three appearances, LeFrancois allowed no runs and tallied five strikeouts in six innings.

The right-hander's most efficient performance came in Valley’s 4-3 victory over the North Shore Navigators. With the Blue Sox holding a one-run lead entering the seventh inning, LeFrancois came on in relief against a North Shore lineup still searching for a breakthrough. Entrusted with preserving the lead, he delivered. After allowing a single to left field, LeFrancois responded with two consecutive strikeouts, both swinging. He carried that momentum into the eighth inning, recording two more strikeouts while throwing just eight pitches. The outing ended with four strikeouts in two innings of work.

“We gave the [inning] to [LeFrancois], who’s been awesome for us all year, and he’s continued that,” head coach John Raiola said after the win over the Navigators.

LeFrancois also made appearances during the Blue Sox’s road trips to Bristol and Sanford. The right-hander entered the game against the Blues in the eighth inning with Valley trailing by two runs. Looking to prevent any further damage, he faced just three batters in the frame. With no hits allowed and three quick outs recorded, LeFrancois needed only three pitches to quiet Bristol’s offense.

In Sanford, LeFrancois tallied three full innings for the Blue Sox and remained consistent on the mound throughout all three frames. LeFrancois threw a total of 11 pitches and allowed just two hits. With the Blue Sox already ahead 4-2, he added another strikeout and worked three efficient innings to help Valley maintain its advantage.

While posting a 0.69 ERA and a 0.77 WHIP this season, LeFrancois was also a standout for UMass Lowell this spring. Appearing in more than 38 innings during his sophomore year, he recorded 24 strikeouts and a 2.58 ERA for the River Hawks.

After Valley’s win over the Mainers, the Blue Sox sit third in the South Division with an 8-5-1 record and return to the road Tuesday to face Ocean State.